Election 2014: Rice Defeats Incumbent Holland For State Senate Seat

Election 2014: Rice Defeats Incumbent Holland For State Senate Seat

The third time was a charm for current or former Arkansas House of Representatives members opposing District 9 state Sen. Bruce Holland when District 21 state Rep. Terry Rice won the District 9 GOP primary Tuesday.

Holland, 45, was first elected in 2010, when he defeated former state Rep. John Paul Wells, and re-elected in 2012. Holland, R-Greenwood, defeated former state Rep. Rick Green in the Republican primary and then state Rep. Tracy Pennartz in the 2012 general election.

On Tuesday, Rice, R-Waldron, wrested control of the District 9 seat from Holland in the GOP primary with 65 of 84 precincts reporting and Rice holding a 57 percent (2,958 votes) to 43 percent (2,243) lead over Holland, according to unofficial results from The Associated Press.

No Democrat filed for the seat.

Rice, 59, was elected to the House in 2008 when he defeated late Greenwood attorney Bill Walters in the general election. He was unopposed in 2010 and 2012.

“We’re pleased to win, but as always disappointed when there’s not more people who vote,” Rice said.

Rice, who owns Rice Furniture & Appliance in Waldron, served on the Public Transportation Committee in the 89th General Assembly and is associated with the Insurance and Commerce, and Arkansas Legislative Council committees where he is co-vice chairperson.

Rice was defeated 52-46 by Davy Carter of Cabot in a bid to become the first GOP Speaker of the House of Representatives since Reconstruction.

Rice said despite their disagreements in the primary, he hopes there’s no continuing animosity between he and Holland.

Holland, a cattle rancher, was chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee in the 89th General Assembly and holds membership on many committees. Holland is also an assistant pro tempore.

Holland couldn’t be immediately reached for comment late Tuesday.

Other than the “private option,” which will surely be revisited by the General Assembly in 2015, both candidates cited economic development as the most significant issue facing the Senate during the next regular session.

Rice said he’s hopeful the experience he’s gained in the House will serve him well in his transition to the Senate.

“Now it’s up to me to earn trust and work for the entire district,” Rice said.